RELATED AUDIO & VIDEO

More than 50% of stations across Ireland reported it was the wettest winter on record.

These included Valentia Observatory (848mm or 183% of long term average), Malin Head, Shannon Airport and Mullingar.

According to Met Éireann, other stations in the south, east and west reported their wettest December, January and February in 57 years, with the wettest day of the season at Ballyhaise on 17 February, with 34.5mm.

The number of wet days during the season ranged from 50-80 around the country.

Winds were also above average, with storm force winds recorded in several locations.

Dublin Airport's average wind speed over the season, at 26km/h, was at its highest since 1943.

Shannon Airport reported its highest winter average wind speed in 31 years with 23km/h, while some stations in the south had their highest average wind speeds in 24 years.

The highest gust in February was at Shannon Airport, which recorded a gust of 159km/h on 12 February, its highest gust for February on record.

Storm force winds were recorded on 1, 8 and 12 February.

Gale force winds were reported on 23 days during the month, with severe gales on 13 days.

Lightning activity was recorded on almost two thirds of the days of the month, with the heaviest activity on 1, 11, 12 and 13 February.

The high winds were accompanied by high seas, with a new record maximum wave of 25m reported at the Kinsale Energy Gas Platform on 12 February.

Mean air temperatures were on or above average everywhere, except for Cork Airport and Markree.

The warmest day of the season was 12 December, with 15.2C recorded at Malin Head and Finner.

With so much rain, it is not surprising that sunshine was not at a premium, with average values ranging from 77% or 115 hours at Knock to 217 hours or 116% at Dublin Airport.